Convert string (looking like array) to multidimensional array

Question

I have a string: [[-3.9,-160.1,34.7],[-0.4,16.3,18.0],[236,236,231],'SMTH 123',35]

How I can convert it to a multidimensional array?

If you have written code for this that you can't get to work, then you have come to the right place. Just add your code (or the relevant parts) to the question, because without that we cannot help. Please see stackoverflow.com/help/how-to-ask — Peter B
– Peter B, Commented Nov 25, 2016 at 12:43
why are strings quoted with single quotes? if with double, you could use JSON.parse. — Nina Scholz
– Nina Scholz, Commented Nov 25, 2016 at 12:44
Where is this string coming from? Do you have control over how it is generated? — user663031
– user663031, Commented Nov 25, 2016 at 12:45
You cannot. With unreliable data like this, any attempt to regex is would result in unmanageable code. You need to push back to the producer or make huge assumptions about the syntax. — ergonaut
– ergonaut, Commented Nov 25, 2016 at 12:55

Reinstate Monica Cellio · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-25 12:46:46Z

1

You can use JSON.parse() to convert a string into an object, assuming it's valid JSON to begin with. Your data has strings delimited by single quotes, which is not valid JSON. If you replace them with double quotes then it will work...

var s = "[[-3.9,-160.1,34.7],[-0.4,16.3,18.0],[236,236,231],'SMTH 123',35]";
var ar = JSON.parse(s.split("'").join("\""));
console.log(ar);

answered Nov 25, 2016 at 12:46

Reinstate Monica Cellio

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4 Comments

pilczuk Over a year ago

When you do JSON.parse remember to wrap it with try/catch - otherwise your script will end up with error.

Reinstate Monica Cellio Over a year ago

@NetRat - this answer is for this specific question. If there are any changes in the the data that would not work with JSON.parse() then this answer is not relevant. Also, try/catch should be used about as often as eval. You should never need it.

Elian Ebbing Over a year ago

What about when var s = ["it's complicated"]? In this case replacing the single quote to a double quote will break a perfectly a valid JSON string.

Reinstate Monica Cellio Over a year ago

@ElianEbbing See the comment above yours.

pilczuk · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-25 12:54:13Z

0

How about doing something like this:

function stringToObject(data) {
    var converted = {};
    try {
        converted = JSON.parse(data);
    } catch(err) {
        console.log('Provided data is not valid', err);
    }
    return converted;
}

console.log(stringToObject('[[-3.9,-160.1,34.7],[-0.4,16.3,18.0],[236,236,231],"SMTH 123",35]'));
console.log(stringToObject('[[-3.9,-160.1,34.7],[-0.4,16.3,18.0],[236,236,231')); // invalid string

Notice that I have changed ' into " in my sample if that is a problem you may take a look at conversion done in another answer for that question.

answered Nov 25, 2016 at 12:54

pilczuk

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Comments

Taufiq Rahman · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-25 13:01:20Z

0

Assuming JQuery is also okay:

var arr = $.parseJSON('[[-3.9,-160.1,34.7],[-0.4,16.3,18.0],[236,236,231],'SMTH 123',35]')

answered Nov 25, 2016 at 13:01

Taufiq Rahman

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